Mission to Anarchy

A shadowy and powerful syndicate targets the stressed captain of a training starship. Seventy ensigns, fresh from the academy, are all trying to make a good impression. A shocking discovery is made, that the captain did not want. New ideas and concepts sweep through the ship. Everything drives the starship “Rapier” toward ANARCHY! More

Lieutenant Commander Landremm is captain of the training starship “Rapier” in the Imperial Oschamian Navy. His rank should be captain or admiral by now, but an unidentifiable agency has been suppressing his promotions for years. Landremm is close to his retirement date and looks forward to putting his frustrated military career behind him. He’s planning one more training mission and then wants to seek fulfillment in some civilian occupation. His primary objective is to never again be noticed by, or called back to the navy.

His commanding officer irritates him and he creatively interprets his orders to choose an unexplored destination. He loads a class of newly graduated ensigns aboard his ship and departs.

At their destination a shocking discovery is made. The discovery destroys any possibility of Landremm’s fading into unnoticed obscurity. Aspects of the discovery stir reactions, ideas, and emotions among the students and crew. Landremm must fight to control himself while working to suppress disorder and disobedience in the crew as he struggles to fulfill his duty to the Empire.

Reviews

Review by:
Phodographer
on June 28, 2014 :
Great book, with a hint of Heinlein. I particularly enjoyed the gradual realization of the nature of the crew’s big discovery, and the unexpected ending (which lends itself to a sequel, if you can come up with another intriguing point-of-view surprise).
If it were me, I’d refine some of the dialog—especially between the captain and the spoiled Nia, which sometimes borders on juvenile.
But I pick nits. This is a good read for anyone who enjoys science fiction.
(reviewed long after purchase)